By John
LaVier
1. Gods people are a SAVED
people.
Theirs is not a hope-so salvation, but a know-so salvation. They
know on the authority of Gods own Holy Word. These things have I written unto
you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have
eternal life (1 John 5:13). Having believed, they are saved from sin. They are
saved from the wages of sin, which is death. They are saved from the lake of
fire, and the blackness of darkness forever. They are saved, not by their own
works, but by God, Who hath SAVED us, and called us with an holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was
given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2 Tim. 1:9).
2. Gods
people are a SANCTIFIED people.
But we are bound to give thanks always to
God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning
chosen you to salvation through SANCTIFICATION of the Spirit and belief of the
truth (2 Thess. 2:13). Like the Corinthians, they were sinners of the deepest
dye, yet now it may be said of them: But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified,
but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God
(1 Cor. 6:11). Sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the
believer, even before he is conscious of his justification, is set apart to God.
It is based upon the redemptive work of Christ. By the which will we are
sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Heb.
10:10). Christ Himself becomes the believers sanctification. But of him are ye
in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and
sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30).
3. Gods people are a
SEPARATED people.
Just as God of old put a difference between the
Egyptians and Israel (Exo. 11:7), so there is today a difference between the
people of God and the people of the world. Jesus said, If ye were of the world,
the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have
chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you (John 15:19). The
separation is to be manifested by Gods people, for the Lords command is,
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye SEPARATE, saith the Lord, and
touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you (2 Cor. 6:17). Though in the
world, Gods people are not of the world, and they are to walk in separation from
the evil that surrounds them.
4. Gods people are a SPIRITUAL
people.
Paul wrote, But ye are not in the flesh, but in the SPIRIT, if so
be that the SPIRIT of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the SPIRIT of
Christ, he is none of his (Rom. 8:9). All of Gods people are indwelt by the
Spirit, and their bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost. They are taught by the
Spirit (John 14:26), they are led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14), and they are
empowered by the Spirit (Acts 1:8). They should all be filled with the Spirit
(Eph. 5:18) and manifest the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance (Gal. 5:22-23).
5. Gods people are a SEALED people.
The believer is
instructed, And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are SEALED unto
the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30). Then in Ephesians 1:13, In whom ye also
trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in
whom also after that ye believed, ye were SEALED with that Holy Spirit of
promise. The words after that ye believed are in the Greek only one word
pisteusantes, which means believing. Simultaneously with their believing the
gospel, Gods people are sealed. First, the seal signifies a finished
transaction. The work of our redemption has been completed. Jesus cried, It is
finished (John 19:30). The seal also signifies ownership. What? know ye not that
your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God,
and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God
in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods (1 Cor. 6:19-20). They belong
to God. His seal is upon them. Finally, the seal signifies security. They are
sealed unto the day of redemption. There will be a safe delivery of Gods
purchased possession at the end of the line. They are safe and secure in Christ.
Sealed in Him so that all the legions of hell cannot touch them.
6.
Gods people are a SEATED people.
The Lord Jesus, after he had offered one
sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God (Heb. 10:12).
Those who have trusted Him and are resting in His finished and all-perfect work,
are also seated with Him. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love
wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us
together with Christ, and hath raised us up together, and made us SIT together
in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:4-6). The saved are, in very truth, a
heavenly people. Their names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20). Their
citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). Their home is in heaven (2 Cor. 5:1).
Their blessings are in heaven (Eph. 1:3). Their inheritance is in heaven (1 Pet.
1:4). They are seated in heaven. As members of the Body, they are there with the
Head, seated at the Fathers right hand in the heavenly places, far above all
principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named,
not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
7. Gods
people are a SATISFIED people.
The prophet asked, Wherefore do ye spend
money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth
not? (Isa. 55:2) Many there are today who are giving all their time and
attention to the things of earth; seeking satisfaction in that which satisfieth
not. How happy are those who have found Him Who alone can satisfy. Oh that men
would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the
children of men! For he SATISFIETH the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul
with goodness (Psa. 107:8-9). Lasting joy, and peace, and satisfaction is to be
found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. He satisfies. Daily, hourly, moment by
moment, He satisfies. All through lifes journey, He satisfies, and when Gods
children close their eyes to this earthly scene, and open them in the realms of
endless glory Ah! then, their satisfaction will be complete. As for me, I will
behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be SATISFIED, when I awake, with thy
likeness (Psa. 17:15).
Who Is This Man Who Says He’s God?
Believing
CHRIST died, that’s HISTORY. Believing CHRIST DIED for YOU and ROSE again that’s
SALVATION. Read: Romans 1:16 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
Posted
by Cecil Spivey
If you are blessed by this devotional please E-mail it to your
friends.
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Saturday, July 20, 2013
SEVEN MARKS OF A BIBLE CHRISTIAN By John LaVier
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